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The e-mails below come to us from a user who switched from ESS to Evolve tuning. This is not uncommon, a lot of people have been making this switch lately and it seems to be making ESS uncomfortable. They have not made many of these claims publicly but you can see how they operate behind the scenes with it essentially boiling down to implying Evolve is not capable of doing their own tuning, their tuning could be dangerous, and that Evolve has to resort to modifying the ESS software.

These accusations as you can see in the forwarded e-mails come from Asbjorn at ESS. Now, Evolve has really been taking over especially in the S85 V10 tuning scene. This seems to have greatly threatened ESS-Tuning. Additionally, ESS goes to length of saying BimmerBoost generates propaganda for Evolve as if BimmerBoost can be held responsible for ESS customer service or individuals choosing to change their tunes. It was not BimmerBoost that forced the user @MisterEmto switch companies and provide his review of the customer service difference between the two and it is not as if he has only discussed his experience here as if held hostage at gunpoint.

It's a bit of shame to see this behavior behind the scenes. It is also a shame ESS seems to be blaming others for their customer service pushing users to other companies. That is not something in BimmerBoost's control.

Regardless, Evolve is making tremendous headway in tuning. The user who switched here seems to be happier with his Evolve tune and was upset with the behavior displayed by Asbjorn at ESS giving the go ahead to post these e-mails. Whether he wants to chime in or not is his business, BimmerBoost will not violate his confidence. What BimmerBoost will do however is expose ridiculous accusations especially when someone is simply happy with their tuning experience using a company other than ESS-Tuning. Perhaps Asbjorn at ESS should focus more on quality customer service and tuning rather than writing nasty, untrue, and accusatory e-mails?

Here is the first e-mail saying Evolve is just using ESS software for supercharged tuning and not their own:

Those who have been following supercharger development have seen Evolve use and develop their own software. Additionally, those that have seen reviews of Evolve software have seen the impressions regarding the quality of the tuning. Accusing Evolve of just using ESS software and essentially not being capable of doing their own software development and having to modify ESS tunes without even seeing the work done is a bit low. For the record, there will be some basic similarities in practically every S54 forced induction setup on the stock DME.

Second e-mail:

Asbjorn accuses BimmerBoost of stating ESS could not get the user in question's car running right. BimmerBoost can not find any article published where it has done what ESS accuses BimmerBoost of doing. The only article published regarding ESS and Evolve was a user's own words, not those of BimmerBoost, of his experience switching from ESS to Evolve for his tuning. This is quite simply a blatant lie that clearly Asbjorn felt comfortable saying in private but not in public. His mistake to choose to lie and disparage regardless.

Here are the issues this particular customer experienced prompting him to explore other tuning options. Not much different from others who have also experienced similar issues and who have decided to make the switch to Evolve to resolve them:

Here is an e-mail from Asbjorn at ESS to said customer once he got wind of the customer trying other tuning options. The e-mail just directly states that Evolve is tuning using ESS software and not their own and implies Evolve's tune will be dangerous. Asbjorn states that if the timing is changed it "could be fatal' implying that Evolve is not competent in knowing how to adjust the timing on the fuel quality used in the application and also that their tune can cause engine failure over time as if getting a custom Evolve tune is worse than a canned tune:

This is all pretty ridiculous, childish, and petty. People will switch tunes. There is not only one tuner capable of tuning a BMW forced induction setup. Evolve has plenty of cars running well. It is their own quality customer service, tuning, and results that is causing such a changover in various markets most visible in the S85 scene currently. People are happy with Evolve tunes. It's ok to have competition. BimmerBoost will not generate propaganda for anyone and knows Evolve can stand on their own merit which is why they are welcome to engage the userbase here. What BimmerBoost will do however is expose this type of shady behavior behind the scenes. The words you see in the ESS e-mails are Asbjorn's own. Come to your own conclusion.

Lets hope those new to the BMW game read this prior to jumping to ESS.

I'm not interested in influencing decisions on who to tune with as much as people being informed. I'm honestly interested in seeing a change in the manner ESS goes about their business. Basically, a culture a change which would benefit EVERYONE. If that doesn't take place, I hope everyone considering them sees this.

I'm not interested in influencing decisions on who to tune with as much as people being informed. I'm honestly interested in seeing a change in the manner ESS goes about their business. Basically, a culture a change which would benefit EVERYONE. If that doesn't take place, I hope everyone considering them sees this.

This thread gives off the same vibe as the "S54 vs. S65" thread, that it just offers something some very interesting & worthwhile information that people will want to read up (whether they believe it or not); regardless of BB threads are banned over there, people will get wind of this thread

This thread gives off the same vibe as the "S54 vs. S65" thread, that it just offers something some very interesting & worthwhile information that people will want to read up (whether they believe it or not); regardless of BB threads are banned over there, people will get wind of this thread

BB being banned there doesn't matter as much as it used to. We've gone so far forward at this point they only hurt themselves.

I hope ESS realize that as long as Evolve doesn't make an S54 Supercharger kit, they are still making money off Evolve's success. I read the threads on Evolve tuned ESS kits and I plan on going that route. Hence money for ESS. Now if Evolve released a $5000 kit, then Asbjorn should start worrying.

But there's something else here that I think Asbjorn fears too. There are owners of the ESS introductory kits (445/etc) that are sourcing their own components and Evolve tuning to upgrade the kits rather than spend an additional $2000 for some ESS hardware and a canned tune. That must undoubtedly hurt his bottom line a good amount. That's what I'd do. And let's not forget those who buy their kits used and then get the tuning from Evolve. Not a penny to ESS where they would usually at least make money off the new owner's retune.

Probably doesn't help that ESS competes with Evolve in NA tuning as well.

At the end of the day, I'd still look at buying ESS hardware though. I'm on the fence about ESS and VF. But I'd most likely get Evolve to help me take them to the next level when I'm ready for that. I've had great experience with Evolve so far and that makes me want to continue using them.

Keep in mind, this is in addition to all the retuning they do for ESS kits & install on G-Power kits. Once they finish up the S62 supercharger, I honestly won't be surprised if they go after the F10 M5/F12 M6 & (once it's released) the F3x M3/M4.

To date, I have not heard a single complaint about Evolve's quality of craftmanship, results and customer service.

Talking about S54 Superchargers - well... we will make one now. It was already in development some time ago but we dropped it because other stuff was going on.

Glad to hear it boys. I'm too far deep in the N/A world at this point but I will follow your results closely.

Originally Posted by evolve

As for the subject of this thread, not commented yet on this yet but will do later.

Oh the suspense... . Sadly I was hoping AJ would wise up and realize ESS's place in the tuning pecking order and maybe use these cases to improve their product. Yet the mud-slinging and finger-pointing continues.

OT: I am ready for another dyno tune @evolve. Ebay headers are off and sold. I have about 200 miles on the Stepped V1's and HJS cats. Your previous tune iteration passed emissions and sniffer with flying colors by the way. No need for trickery. Finally have Colorado plates on the beast and no more sweat from Johnny Law with the old Nevada "RATEDM" plates.

But there's something else here that I think Asbjorn fears too. There are owners of the ESS introductory kits (445/etc) that are sourcing their own components and Evolve tuning to upgrade the kits rather than spend an additional $2000 for some ESS hardware and a canned tune. That must undoubtedly hurt his bottom line a good amount. That's what I'd do. And let's not forget those who buy their kits used and then get the tuning from Evolve. Not a penny to ESS where they would usually at least make money off the new owner's retune.

You just got me thinking... what if someone threw together the same components (but sourced their own manifold) and just had Evolve do the tuning and cut them out for less money completely?

Got some time finally to post. Currently in Finland on work. Cold here!

For us atleast this is not the first time we have seen such information but never on a public forum. Without sounding like we are being picked on, we are quite used to this kind of behaviour from this highly unethical company. When we were working on our E92 M3 supercharger kit ESS went out of their way to purposefully derail the product by saying it's not ours, we rebadged it etc etc.
The emails we have received from them are quite ridiculous.
Over on M3P, continuous digs and scaremongering.
We have had stupid threats that they will tell everyone who makes our exhausts.... err.... didn't they read the forums? We already told everyone!
When that's been realised then its ' oh, they didn't do it themselves, they had no input'... OK guys... keep trying. No one can know so much about the product and it's development in so much detail without actually being so heavily involved at the design level.

Some of you I am sure even saw the comical accusation that I am just a salesman by ESS over on M3P. Sure.... ok

Are we the only ones? Well you guys already know the answer to that one.

This time, they got caught out and this is a highly embarrassing situation to be in.

M3forum.net is another forum where we picked up abuse of the same nature as this thread but the guys over there just did not stand for it at all.

We can also look at this in a positive light from our point of view. For them to continuously talk trash like for the last 2 years must mean they see us as a threat......

I can tell you now, this will never end. It is the way they are and they will never change unless they really have to.

I know most of the other tuners in the US to the level I speak to them on the phone. One told me that he was told by Asbjorn to leave what he described as 'HIS MARKET' ... or else. The thinking is just so strange and this is where the root problem lies. They want to be the only ones in their market. One email even spoke about such things and threats of them reducing their prices to make sure no one entered the market in E92 M3 supercharged cars. Did it stop anyone? No.
I have to say that the other big players in the market are a pleasure to have as competition. We can all co exist clearly.

I have explained numerous times to them that competition is good. However they do not see it like that and focus more time on these tactics than actually working on their own tuning / products. Why is it that we make such a big improvement over them? We actually study, continually develop and we do it ourselves because this is what we like doing.

If they continue with this they will simply dig a deeper hole for themselves because no one will believe this type of nonsense. Too many people on the forums see us logging in live and do tuning. We clearly know a thing or two. We are asked for random things to be done and we get them done. There are many people who have been to our place and seen the tuning and how it's done. It is explained to the point where they understand it.
The people in the UK know what we are up to as they often visit when we are part way through development.

What they really need to understand is this - we cannot be stopped. We will continue to do what we are thoroughly enjoying and we will do it to the best standards we possibly can. They clearly have to much time on their hands these days .... says it all really.

We are used to it now. We expect a stupid attack all of the time we are that used to it!

So now... we make a supercharger kit based on a Rotrex C38-91. Why? Well... just because we feel the sudden urge to do so :-) Or shall we just give you all of the CAD models and where to get everything done and throw the tuning in for free too?
Don't get too excited... we aren't that nice!

Anyway, thanks to Sticky (aka the evolve marketing and propaganda machine) and the person who put the email forward.

I can tell you now, this will never end. It is the way they are and they will never change unless they really have to.

I'm afraid you likely are right.

Originally Posted by evolve

What they really need to understand is this - we cannot be stopped. We will continue to do what we are thoroughly enjoying and we will do it to the best standards we possibly can. They clearly have to much time on their hands these days .... says it all really.

This does say it all. I feel the same way, no reason to stop.

Originally Posted by evolve

Anyway, thanks to Sticky (aka the evolve marketing and propaganda machine) and the person who put the email forward.

Yes, I would like to thank him as well for standing up. Wish more people would.

So now... we make a supercharger kit based on a Rotrex C38-91. Why? Well... just because we feel the sudden urge to do so :-) Or shall we just give you all of the CAD models and where to get everything done and throw the tuning in for free too?

Nah, I'd be willing to pay for the tuning :p

In all seriousness, it's exciting to hear that you guys are doing a SC kit for the S54 now. I imagine it will be closer to the type of power curve we get from the AA kits if you guys are using the Rotrex than what the Vortech put down. Definitely extremely interested in going that route as I was already set on using Evolve for tuning no matter what kit I end up with.

Is it too early to ask about what levels of kits that are planned? i.e 'streetsport/intro', stage 1, stage 2, etc.